DLP in school holidays - too busy to be fun?

[duplofrenzy]

Have booked 3 days (2 nights) in DLP over my son's birthday in the school Summer holidays. Will it be too busy to be fun (kids 5 and 6)?

Have just spotted that date changes are permitted so could change to a long weekend in Sept./ Oct. Anyone know if it would be noticeably less busy so as to be more enjoyable then?

Pros of going in July - over son's birthday, driving through France on holiday anyway so not much of a detour (saves time travelling another time).

Cons - takes time out of our fortnight booked in holiday accommodation elsewhere.

We have been in July before (even managed to be there unintentionally for Bastille day-now that was packed!) and it is busy but as the parks are open much longer there was time to do what we wanted to do.
Queues were bigger but it was still good fun and the lovely weather made it even more enjoyable. (having also done DLP in the freezing cold and rain!)

Wtf is DLP?

Disney Land Paris

I've been to DLP several times in both school holidays and during term time. I spent 2 weeks there last September and tbh the weekends were just as busy as August, (maybe due to the lovely weather we had) so its probably not worth changing your dates.

What makes a difference IMO is being well prepared and having a rough plan of what you want to do each day. By using the Extra Magic hours (8-10am) available to hotel guests only each morning, you can get in a fair few rides while its still fairly quiet. They also have extra character meet and greets during these hours now too. Understanding how FastPass works and using it well can also cut down on your time spent queuing as can planning to go on rides while parades are on, or in the evening when others leave to have dinner elsewhere.

Another tip is to pre-book a table at any restaurants you really want to eat at. That way you avoid the main queue for people who have just turned up and also avoid risking, wandering round with tired, hungry children looking for somewhere that is open/has spaces.

Ok, sorry can't advise as I have not been there with children.

Just to clarify that we did not stay AT DLP for 2 weeks, rather we rented a gite nearby for 2 weeks, during which we visited the resort as well as many other places nearby and did day trips into Paris and Versailles. Additionally as we have yearly passes to DLP, we could just come and go as we pleased so sometimes just did a morning in the park before going elsewhere or just went down in the evening to watch the night time firework show on the castle. Over the fortnight we managed to do everything in the parks, but at a much more relaxed pace than trying to cram it all into 3 or 4 days.

Re:Magic hours, its true most people don't realise that the full park isn't open then. Usually its about 7 rides, mostly those in Fantasyland and a couple in Discoveryland. Fantasyland does have mainly 'tame'' rides and those that appeal to young children, so EMHs is good for littlies who can't cope with the longer queues that build later in the day. Space Mountain does open sometimes then too, but is currently shut for a major refurb.
Also by being in the park early you can often start queuing for the things that open at 10am e.g Princess Pavillion. It just gives you a head start on those who arrive later. you can also be at the rope drop for the other lands too, ready to race for the big attractions as soon as possible. As of yesterday, this includes the new Frozen themed Arendelle Marketplace in Frontierland